Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Region and Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC) of Panjab University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industry-Academia partnership.

Speaking on the occasion, H E Shri V P Singh bandore, Hon'ble Governor - Punjab & Administrator, U T Chandigarh, said, This historic MoU between CII and CRIKC will help in bridging the skill gap and will also open doors to a win-win situation for both sectors which form the foundation of a progressive Nation. By taking advantage of new technologies and by collaborating with the industry forces, we can build a new model of education and create a supportive ecosystem to shape a new way of working and learning. India needs young graduates with innovative thinking to develop and manufacture new products to address the challenges faced by the industry and society. It is time to strengthen our higher education system so that students are adequately prepared to succeed in an evolving world.

The MoU signed envisages that a 'CRIKC-CII (NR) Industry-Academia (I-A) Board' will be created to prepare a roadmap and devise governance model to promote partnership programmes between the research and educational institutes in Chandigarh region and industries represented by CII-NR. The Board shall endeavor to undertake a number of activities such as creation of 'Industry-Academia Interfaces', Submit collaborative Research-Projects to public and private funding agencies, Set up of Industry sponsored Chairs, Scholarships, Fellowships, laboratories at institutes in Chandigarh region, etc. The Board will also organize Industry-Academia Collaborative Workshops/ Seminars/ Conferences/ Showcasing and Networking Meets, Design competitions etc. to evolve new ideas and support the best for addressing industrial challenges and setting up Start Up, Entrepreneurship and Skill development programmes.

Prof Arun Kumar Grover, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh and President Governing Body, CRIKC, said, Linkages must be formed between government, industry and institutions for exchange of best practices and training for students, especially in medical education. Industry and academia can implement new age ideas such as interchangeability of roles like in foreign nations. There is a need to align industry manpower needs with the skilling initiatives underway and improve the employability of the working population. We need to adopt a more practical and applied approach to boost the value of today's higher education system and most importantly help prepare students for life after class.

Dr Dinesh Dua, Chairman, Regional Committee on Higher Education, CII Northern Region & Immediate Past Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council & CEO & Director, Nectar Lifesciences Ltd, said, With bold & dynamic initiatives of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi for Make in India, Skill India & Digital India, there is greater emphasis on Industry - Academia Collaboration as a pathway to innovation to spearhead invention which will directly guide industry both ways to excel particularly in the field of Make in India. Academia is at the centre of developing trends. However, there is a gap between universities and industry that needs to be bridged by academia and professionals as individuals and as a community of practitioners. Understanding the importance of knowledge cluster, CII desires to work in tandem with CRIKC. Such an alliance will boost the R&D of industries and also help in enhancing the educational skills of their employees. CII strongly believes that the country cannot achieve the universalization of education without the efforts of the private sector.

Mr Rohit Grover, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council and Director, JREW Engineering Ltd, said, It is imperative to facilitate greater interactions between the education institutes and corporates and make students job-ready before being inducted into the corporate world. As corporates are best positioned to understand the specific needs of each sector, there is a significant opportunity for Corporate-Institute collaboration which can maximise value output for all - students, corporate and institutes. CII has decided to undertake this initiative with CRIKC to ensure that we take this initiative forwards systematically & in a sustained manner.

Mr Babu Khan, Regional Director, CII Northern region, said, This MoU between CII and CRIKC on Industry-Academia Partnership is the next step in strategizing the interdependent processes and crafting employable youth.

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